Solar Energy for Today

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by: Glenn Tucker
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Word Count: 526
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 Time: 2:10 AM
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Solar power is obtained by converting sunlight into solar energy, or usable electricity. This is done through the use of photvotaics or solar cells, which convert the light into electrical current. Solar cells are actually silicon or melted sand, to be specific. Solar cells provide direct electrical power, or the electricity they produce can be stored in rechargeable batteries for use when there is no sunshine, such as a cloudy day or night time. This concept of solar energy is not new; it has been around since the 1880s.

In the home environment, solar panels collect solar energy that can be directly used to power anything in your home that uses electricity. Excess solar energy can then be transferred to a battery and used when there is not direct solar power available. In many areas, if you generate more solar power than you can use, local utility companies will purchase it from you. If your home is set up properly to collect solar energy, you can expect a 25% to 50% savings on your utility costs.

There are many solar thermal power plants today. They use huge solar mirrors to collect energy. Of course, they cannot produce energy without sunlight either. The problem remains, just as it has always been with solar energy, no sun = no power. Therefore, a backup energy system is always necessary.

In recent times, the government has extended tax rebates and incentives to encourage everyone to use solar energy systems. This is something everyone should consider. It not only saves you money every month on your energy costs, but it is a green solution for the environment every time the amount of fossil fuel being used is reduced.

There are solar water heaters that are suitable for heating water for the home, business or even the swimming pool. In the late 1800s many homes began to use solar water heaters, but by the 1920s the availability of fossil fuel caused a sharp decline in the use of solar energy for heating water. Today, the solar water heater is coming back in some areas as a viable solution for heating water. In areas of Southern California, Florida and Arizona the idea is once again becoming popular. To date there are more than 500,000 such systems in California alone.

Currently, there are solar energy systems for cars, both for auxiliary uses such as air conditioning and even to run the engine itself. Since 1975 there have been solar boats, and there is even an experimental solar plane. Of course, at this point solar power in absence of a backup power system is neither reliable, nor practical for transportation applications.

The fact is that solar energy is limitless, it's clean and it's free for the taking. It is just one of many possible options that can help to reduce or eliminate fossil fuel consumption. Perhaps if we can combine solar power and some of the other natural fuel alternatives currently in use or development, we may yet see a greener earth and a pollution free environment.

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